NUSHIP

Arafura

Australia’s current Armidale Class and Cape Class patrol boats are planned to be replaced with a single class of Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), under Project SEA 1180 Phase 1. The ships are under construction in Australia by German shipbuilder, Lürssen's subsidiary, Luerssen Australia partnering with ASC OPV Shipbuilder for construction of the first two OPVs in South Australia and Civmec Construction for the remaining 10 in Western Australia.

The 12 Australian vessels are based on the PV80 design with the first two vessels to be built at Osborne Shipyard in South Australia before production moves to Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia.

The primary role of the OPV will be to undertake constabulary missions, maritime patrol and response duties. State of the art sensors as well as command and communication systems will allow the OPVs to operate alongside Australian Border Force vessels, other Australian Defence Force units and other regional partners.

The OPV design will support specialist mission packages, such as a maritime tactical unmanned aerial system, and into the future, rapid environmental assessment and deployable mine counter measure capabilities.

On 15 November 2018, then Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mike Noonan, announced the OPV will be known as the Arafura Class. The lead vessel, HMAS Arafura is planned to enter service in 2023.

Royal Australian Navy sailors inspect a model of an Arafura Class offshore patrol vessel at Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide.

Chief Petty Officer Marine Technician Mark Verhoeven (left), Leading Seaman Electronics Technician Jimmy Savage (centre) and Lieutenant Commander Jonathon Robarts (right) with NUSHIP Arafura at the Osborne Naval Shipyard.